Ingrown toenails can be painful and annoying, but fortunately, there are ways to prevent them from occurring. At TFC Podiatry, our podiatrists see patients of all ages with ingrown toenails. We always aim to treat not only the toenail, but uncover the cause. Some of the most common causes of ingrown toenails include incorrectly cutting your nails and incorrect footwear, so we thought we would give you a few tips to help in the meantime.
Here are some tips for avoiding ingrown toenails:
- Cut your toenails properly: Make sure to cut your toenails straight across and not too short. Avoid rounding the edges of your toenails, as this can cause them to grow into the skin.
- Wear the right shoes: Tight or ill-fitting shoes can put pressure on your toenails and cause them to grow into the skin. Opt for shoes that have plenty of room for your toes and are made of breathable material to prevent sweating.
- Don’t pick at your toenails: If you have an ingrown toenail, resist the temptation to pick at it. This can cause the skin to become infected and make the problem worse.
- Soak your feet: If you have an ingrown toenail, try soaking your foot in warm water several times a day. This can help to soften the skin and make it easier to gently lift the edge of the toenail out of the skin.
- See a podiatrist: If the ingrown toenail is painful, reoccuring, severe or infected, it’s important to see a podiatrist for treatment. We may need to remove part or all of the ingrown toenail to reduce the risk of reoccurence.
If you’re able to catch an ingrown toenail early, you may be able to treat it at home using the tips above. However, if the toenail becomes infected or is causing severe pain, it’s important to see a podiatrist for treatment.
If you are in pain and need a same-day podiatry appointment, give us a call!
We have three clinics across western Melbourne located in Yarraville, Point Cook, and Avondale Heights.
Ingrown toenails can be prevented by cutting your toenails properly, wearing the right shoes, and avoiding picking at your toenails. Soaking your feet and using a cotton ball can also help to treat an ingrown toenail at home. If the problem persists or becomes infected, it’s important to see a podiatrist for treatment. Book in today to speak to a team member and get your infected toenail seen to!
